I see people with big smiles on their faces each and every day, and all the while they are experiencing difficulty in their lives and are only putting on a facade. How many do I know that are sharing beautiful scenes and things on social media and yet their own lives are in complete disarray. I believe that we have a problem in this world with deceit and lying and it is causing strife that will only be resolved with truth.
“19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” — Proverbs 12:19-20 (ESV)
This morning reading in Proverbs I was brought again to a passage I have studied before and was hit in the face with reminders. How many lies lead to more lies and then to more? Why would we not just strive for peace and joy instead and avoid all of the deceit that is only pleasing in the moment.
I will admit that lately I have not been seeking peace and joy. I have not necessarily been deceitful and untruthful to others, but I have been with myself. Thinking that everything is fine and that all will be well is not really dealing with what is going on. I have to remember to be truthful and take the hard look at what is and understand that it may not be great on one hand, but dealing with it will allow for things to be resolved. I have to remember to seek truth and peace at every turn and that will ultimately bring joy in my life that I will be able to spread to others as I do the work of God.
What deceit and untruths are you harboring in your life? Are you using them to bring you momentary satisfaction and likely at the expense of another? What if you just set out to deal in truth and seek peace to carve out for the joy in your life?
Trevor's Thoughts 